Kentucky House passes new rules for filling Senate vacancies

[beaglelover]

Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill that removes Democratic Governor Andy Beshear’s ability to appoint a member of his own party to fill vacant U.S. Senate seats

Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would remove Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s ability to appoint a member of his own party to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate if one occurred.

The legislation, which Republican lawmakers pushed forward after discussions with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell now heads to the governor's desk.

Current state law allows the governor to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next regular election of the U.S. House of Representatives, which happens every two years. But under the bill approved Tuesday by the state House of Representatives, the governor would have to choose from a three-name list provided by leaders from the same party as the senator who formerly held the seat. Since Republicans currently hold both of Kentucky's Senate seats, GOP leaders would make the nominations.

A veto is likely to be overridden by Republican supermajorities in both the House and Senate.

Not a fan of this change.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kentucky-house-passes-new-rules-for-filling-senate-vacancies-kentucky-andy-beshear-democratic-mitch-mcconnell-kamala-harris-b1818209.html

[jorgevlorgan]

1. It was bound to happen with their majorities.

Now I wonder if the Governor will appoint anybody from the list, or just leave it vacant.

[OnDoutside]

3. Yeah, I wonder is there a timeframe in which he has to nominate a replacement ?

[70sEraVet]

4. Just leave it vacant.

That would be a perfect tribute to McConnell's history as a US senator!

[jorgevlorgan]

6. Omg perfect!!

"we are close to an election year, so it isn't appropriate to fill this seat when we have an election right around the corner!"

[Fiendish Thingy]

12. Hopefully, the law allows the governor to leave the seat vacant- if not, it's up again in 2024. Nt

[Greybnk48]

5. This is the same shit the Teabagger Republicans in Wisconsin tried,

and still try to do in Wisconsin to Governor Evers. What a bunch of hateful, crooked f*ckheads.

[jorgevlorgan]

7. At least th y don't have a supermajority, and they may be losing their regular majorities

Relatively soon...

[Budi]

8. I think this is because McConnell is about to make his exit

This is to keep his replacement from being a Dem.

Just guessing here. I've read recently, mention of McConnell being ill.

[Arazi]

9. #MoscowMitch must be much more ill than known

Or his wife Elaine Chao is in bigger trouble than is known

Or #MoscowMitch is about to be exposed for his own crimes

[Lucinda]

17. All of the above...

[bdamomma]

18. Karma

can be sweet.

[gratuitous]

10. So-o-o-o-o-o if (for example) Amy McGrath re-registered as a Republican

Gov. Breshear could name her to fill a vacant Senate seat?

[Blaukraut]

13. She wouldn't be named by the KY Rep party leaders.

They get to put forth three names, and the governor has to pick one. Rest assured they'll pick the trumpiest and nastiest they can find.

[bahboo]

11. so maybe McConnell can die now....

[Corgigal]

14. Gov Andy Beshear

is one smart man. He already chess matches this out months back, I suspect.

Lucky to have him.

[bluestarone]

15. The only possible good thing here is

Maybe MOSCOW MITCH is going to DIE!

[Lucinda]

16. Would this stand in court? n/t